When you go visit your friends and family in surrounding cities, do you get tired of eating at home or picking up fast food?
Check out some of the best local businesses in South Texas that offer great food and savory flavors that are as rich as the owners’ traditions. Gas prices are at an all-time high right now, but these dozen restaurants are worth the drive.
This guide will help you find a spot from Riviera to Beeville. Do you have a suggestion? Let us know at [email protected].
Alice – Belinda’s Cafe
406 North Johnson St.
According to regulars, the hardest thing about eating at Belinda’s Cafe is figuring out what to order.
The family-owned restaurant includes homemade burgers, chicken fried chicken, Mexican plates and a salad bar.
Contact: facebook.com/Belindascafe
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Aransas Pass – Butter Churn
1275 Highway 35 Bypass
What started in 1995 in Sinton, soon made its way to Aransas Pass 17 years later.
The all-you-can-eat buffet style restaurant includes a varying menu that will include sirloin steaks, fried fish, grilled chicken, BBQ brisket, liver and onions and meatloaf depending on the day of the week.
Contact: butterchurnrestaurant.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Beeville – Gasthaus Berliner Bear
2510 North Saint Marys St.
Founded in 2010, the family-owned and operated restaurant takes pride in serving authentic German food to Beeville and the surrounding area.
This hidden gem feels like you just walked out of Bavaria with schnitzel, German potato salad, goulash and apple dumplings for dessert.
Contact: gasthausberlinerbear.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Ingleside – Blackbeard’s Too
2753 West Main St.
After opening Blackbeard’s on the Beach in 1991, Blackbeard’s Too opened 15 years later with its own distinctive personality, vibe and history.
The menus at both locations are similar, but each offer a wide range of menu items including fish tacos, fried zucchini bites, wraps, ribeye steaks and fried oysters.
Contact: blackbeards.restaurant
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Kingsville – Spice Station
1030 East Lott Ave.
Indian food isn’t the most common meal one would find in South Texas, but Spice Station in Kingsville is changing that by bringing delicious food to the area.
Items on the menu include veggie paratha, methi puri, shawarma rolls, fish biryani and plenty of curry.
Contact: facebook.com/spicestationindiancuisine
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Mathis – Butter’s BBQ
104 South Highway 359
Texas Monthly voted Butter’s BBQ among the state’s best barbecue restaurants in 2021 for its Top 50 Best BBQ Joints list.
If that’s not enough, their brisket, ribs and sausage reinforce that every day for hungry Coastal Benders.
Contact: buttersbarbecue.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Port Aransas – La Playa Mexican Grille
222 Beach Ave.
Have you ever had your server come up to your table and make the guacamole right in front of you?
You can expect that and more delicious food, including enchiladas and fajitas, from this 20-year old restaurant.
But leave your credit cards behind as this popular restaurant accepts only cash and checks.
Contact: laplayamexicangrille.com
Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Portland – Pep’s Mexican Steakhouse
1807 US Highway 181
With drink specials and live music on some nights, Pep’s is the place to be in Portland.
Menu items include salmon nachos, a 32-ounce tomahawk steak, grilled quail and alligator tacos.
Contact: pepsmexicansteakhouse.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Riviera – King’s Inn
1116 South County Rd. 2270
King’s Inn has served dignitaries and common folk since 1945 with their fried and broiled seafood and fresh avocado salad.
If you that doesn’t interest you, take the words from George Strait, George W. Bush, Matt Dillon, Betty White and Nolan Ryan. They all enjoyed a meal from the iconic bayside eatery before.
Contact: baffinbaytx.com/kingsinn.htm
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Robstown – Barrera’s Fried Chicken
105 South 3rd St.
Featured on The Texas Bucket List, Barrera’s Fried Chicken has been a staple in Robstown since 1978.
Known for their tasty chicken tenders, the chicken shack is also popular for its chicken gizzards.
Contact: facebook.com/BarrerasFriedChicken
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Rockport-Fulton – Fulton’s Irish Pub and Grill
301 North Fulton Beach Rd.
The pub has a 60-foot bar, shuffle board, pool table and plenty of large screen TVs to keep an eye on all sports games.
Items on the menu, aside from tasty beer, includes Irish Shepherd’s Pie, bangers and mash, a Guinness burger and a chopped Irish salad.
Contact: fultonsirishpubandgrill.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Sinton – Back Street Café
106 East Borden St.
Since 1992, Back Street has been specializing in homestyle cooking and takes pride in the quality and consistency of its food.
Menu items include fried catfish, chicken fried steak, cheeseburger steak and daily specials, all made fresh to order.
Contact: backstreetcafesinton.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
